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Tag: Discovery Channel

  • Discovery Channel to celebrate Republic Day with ‘India On Film’

    Discovery Channel to celebrate Republic Day with ‘India On Film’

    MUMBAI: Discovery Channel, India’s leading destination for real-life entertainment, will celebrate 70 Republic Day of India with a special documentary ‘India On Film’, a unique two-part documentary film, narrated by versatile actor Rahul Bose. The film explores never seen before archival footage expertly restored and digitized by the British Film Institute (BFI) highlighting India’s rich history, society, culture and the daily life in the 1900s.  Catch ‘India On Film’ on 26 January at 8PM only on the Discovery Channel and Discovery Channel HD.

    ‘India On Film’ will take the viewers back in time, to over a century ago, to meet traditionally dressed women and men from across classes, to walk the busy streets with rickshaw pullers, to ride elephants with hunters, to wash in the Ganges, to pick tea in the hills and to join families for a traditional picnic. Since the earliest days of the movie camera, expatriates and travelers from Europe have filmed across the Indian sub-continent, witnessing extraordinary historic events and momentous change in the first half of the 20th century. At times touching, funny and engaging, ‘India On Film’ offers a ringside view of history in the making and a remarkable glimpse into a past way of life. With an archive of over 160 films, the BFI manages to cover landscapes from the foothills of the Himalayas in the north to the tropical south, cities such as Calcutta, Delhi and Bombay, in their rustic setting.

    Speaking about his experience of narrating the film, actor Rahul Bose, said, “I am always drawn to projects that look at things through a different lens. India On Film, is unique in its thought and manifestation. Being a part of this film was educative and a privilege in equal parts. The film delicately weaves the rich history of the subcontinent and gives the viewer a rare glance into what it looked like in the 1900s.”

    Discovery South Asia content, factual & lifestyle entertainment director Sai Abishek said, “India on Film is a fantastic opportunity for viewers to get a glimpse into an unseen India they have so far only read about in history books or heard about in stories handed down through the generations. It is mesmerizing to visualize such an important piece of our rich past.”

    TVF International Acquisitions Manager for India on Film distributor Julian Chou-Lambert said: “From some of the earliest ever films of India through to remarkable footage of Gandhi, India on Film provides a visual and historical treasure trove. Many of the BFI films have never been seen before, so we are very pleased to be bringing these to India for the first time through Discovery.”

    Along with chronicling the quotidian life of India in the 1900s, India on Film will also provide a peek into Mahatma Gandhi’s Dandi March and also track British game hunter, Jim Corbett, who filmed many of his expeditions tracking man-eating tigers and leopards. Among the many other events that led to creating a new India, this documentary also encapsulates authenticity of India’s rich past with a detailed understanding of what the country looked like in the 1900s.

  • Discovery channel’s new documentary ‘India 2050’ to premiere on 29 Dec

    Discovery channel’s new documentary ‘India 2050’ to premiere on 29 Dec

    MUMBAI: Discovery Channel is all set to premiere ‘India 2050’, a thought-provoking documentary, on 29 December, 2019 at 9 pm. The film highlights a larger crisis that humanity is likely to face – the crisis of environmental migration and climate refugees, the effects of which we are already facing in 2019 in certain patches in the Sundarbans and on India’s east coast.

    Going forward, experts predict this to be the single most urgent crisis to be faced by every country in the world as sea levels will continue to rise and glaciers will continue to melt bringing about unprecedented and irrevocable changes to human life as we know it.

    The documentary begins with Jaipur, known as the Pink City of India, but imagined as in 2050, completely buried under piles of sand. It then moves into the future of currently flourishing metropolises of Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata, giving viewers a terrifying glimpse of what is to come, for each of these metro cities. 

    Highlighting the importance of the show, Discovery South Asia Content, Factual & Lifestyle Entertainment director Sai Abishek said, “India 2050 shines light on what could lie-ahead if we don’t change. It is a wake-up call, urging each one of us to emerge from our collective slumber to act before it gets too late.”

    Amitav Ghosh, author of Great Derangement, says, “We cannot in any way absolve companies and corporations of playing a role in this because we know now that there’s been a huge systematic, well-funded climate denial machine! It was really the role of money, which has actually held up any kind of climate action for a very long time now.” While, Environmentalist and Climate Change Expert Chandra Bhushan, warns, “We are going to leave our children a planet which is going to be much harsher than what we have today.”

    “We don't have time anymore. In the month of August 2019, within 12 days, India received more than a thousand extreme and heavy rainfall events! You're getting to see the worst impacts of climate change and they're happening now!” says, Centre for Science and Environment director general Sunita Narain highlighting the need for immediate action. “People like us are protected. We believe… and it's our arrogance which has created the problem. Because we believe nothing can affect us! We will ramp up, we'll put on another air conditioner – the heat outside goes on. If there is no water, we’ll buy bottled water. But we're not worried about a dying river – because we still get clean water in our taps,” she further adds highlighting human apathy as one of the key reasons as to why we haven’t been able to come together as a species to counter climate change in any way.

  • Discovery Channel’s docuseries on ‘India Startup Stories’ premieres on 14 Dec

    Discovery Channel’s docuseries on ‘India Startup Stories’ premieres on 14 Dec

    MUMBAI: Discovery Channel’s ‘India Startup Stories’ narrates the journey of Indian start-ups who have made giant strides forward and have made a mark on the Indian ecosystem. The 8-episode series, starting December 14, at 7:00 pm on Discovery Channel and Discovery Channel HD, will cover leading start-ups including Car24, Designcafe, Games24x7, Ixigo, Licious, Medlife, Policybazaar, and Paisabazaar.

    Discovery  South Asia Ad-Sales head Vikram Tanna said, “India’s Startup Stories will shine light on the ‘vision’ behind successful start-ups and uncover the fascinating Stories behind their inception. We will uncover how an idea led to the formation of a venture which went on to significantly impact business scenario in the country while making lives of consumers simpler with technology backed concepts.”

  • Airtel inks content deal with CuriosityStream

    Airtel inks content deal with CuriosityStream

    MUMBAI: Bharti Airtel today announced a content partnership with CuriosityStream, the award-winning global media company that delivers the world of factual entertainment in one mind-expanding place.

    Launched by John Hendricks, the visionary founder of Discovery Channel, CuriosityStream lets viewers explore their passions and discover new ones with thousands of films and series covering space, art, volcanoes, history, travel, cars, architecture, dinosaurs and so much more. 

    The complete content catalogue of CuriosityStream, including exclusive originals that can’t be seen anywhere else, will now be available to Airtel customers on its converged digital entertainment platform – Airtel Xstream.

    Airtel Thanks Gold and Platinum customers will get complimentary access to exciting CuriosityStream content on the Airtel Xstream app and airtelxstream.com. The content will also be available on the Airtel Xstream Hybrid Box and Airtel Xstream Smart Stick.   

    Airtel is the first partner to bring CuriosityStream to India, directly to viewers who are looking for the kind of engaging factual shows that the traditional networks have abandoned. CuriosityStream covers the full breadth and depth of the non-fiction genre – from science and technology to history and nature to society and lifestyle.

    With this latest partnership, Airtel has further strengthened its digital entertainment play. The Airtel Xstream platform offers over 10,000 movies and shows along with 400 plus LIVE channels. This content can be accessed across all screens – smartphone, TV, and PC through Xstream applications and smart devices.

    Adarsh Nair, Chief Product Officer, Bharti Airtel said: “We are thrilled to join hands with CuriosityStream to introduce India to best-in-class factual entertainment content, which will be available to customers on the screen of their choice. There is growing demand in India for quality content and we believe that CuriosityStream’s award winning series will add to our effort of delivering a differentiated experience to our customers.”      

    Sunil Taldar, CEO and Director – DTH, Bharti Airtel said, “We are delighted to partner with CuriosityStream for our Airtel Xstream platform and bring some really exciting and premium content to Indian homes. With the new Airtel Xstream Hybrid Box, customers can enjoy the best of linear TV and online content, including exclusive factual shows commissioned by CuriosityStream.”  

    Clint Stinchcomb, President and CEO, CuriosityStream said, “CuriosityStream is the definitive experience for satisfying curiosity and supercharging the imagination. Our partnership with Airtel is built for today and for the future, reaching the important Indian audience at scale through Airtel's vast footprint and multiple screens. We are excited to team with Airtel for this first-of-a-kind partnership.”

    The Airtel CuriosityStream partnership was secured by media distribution firm Brandwith.

  • Discovery Channel to air its first ever short-form series ‘Feelin’ Alive’ till December 22

    Discovery Channel to air its first ever short-form series ‘Feelin’ Alive’ till December 22

    MUMBAI: Discovery Channel is all set to bring the extraordinary moments of exhilaration for those who look to adventure to feel alive, with its first ever short-form content series ‘Feelin’ Alive’ which premiered on November 04 to air every day till December 22, 2019. 

    “Travel helps you to lose yourself; at the same time, it also helps you to find yourself. However, travel does not become adventure unless you leave yourself behind. Feelin’ Alive leverages this strong human emotion and meaningfully engages with the audiences,” said, Discovery  Head of Advertising Sales – South Asia Vikram Tanna.  “We are delighted that marquee clients like Bajaj, Dominar, Amazon.in, Vivo and Domino’s Pizza have joined us in this journey.”

    Everyone who is a travel freak, an adventure seeker or someone in search of the unknown, will find their solace through ‘Feelin Alive’ as the inexperienced but super enthusiastic host Paresh Pahuja travels through the unexplored locales of India in search of incredible extreme sports destinations. In this 5-episode series, which will give viewers a spellbinding view of India’s geographical bounty, Paresh will meet the adventure pioneers who will train him as he seeks to re-discover himself through this revitalizing journey.

    As thrilling as it sounds, ‘Feelin’ Alive’ will leave the audience only craving for more of that adrenaline rush as anchor takes up activities like fly boarding, mountain biking, kayaking, kite surfing and even learns to perform some phenomenal bike stunts with the ‘Ghost Ryderz’. While he learns new skills, he’s also able to successfully overcome his fears through this breathtaking series, leaving the viewers feeling refreshed.

  • British Explorer Levison Wood travels 5,000 miles across the Middle East on his toughest and most revealing journey yet

    British Explorer Levison Wood travels 5,000 miles across the Middle East on his toughest and most revealing journey yet

    MUMBAI: Brand new to Discovery Channel, ARABIA WITH LEVISON WOOD, will join the British explorer as he circumnavigates the Arabian Peninsula; a gruelling 5,000-mile journey that sees him travel through 13 different countries, immersing himself in the lives of locals in a bid to challenge the myths and stereotypes that plague this ancient land. Catch the 5-part series, every Thursday at 9:00 pm on Discovery Channel and Discovery HD World starting September 05.

    Having spent several years as an Officer in the British Parachute Regiment serving in Afghanistan and working as a photographer and writer travelling to over 90 countries worldwide, Levison has seen the devastating realities of war first-hand.

    This five-part series looks at each country through the eyes of its people, exploring the lives and experiences of a range of vastly differing characters: Syrian grandmothers, Iraqi snipers, swamp dwellers, smugglers, pirates, gunmen, shepherds, drug dealers, freedom fighters and nomads, with each episode reflecting the changing environments and unique communities along the route.

    “The show is part of Discovery India’s strategy to focus on explorers and adventurers who are changing the world, “, said, Sai Abishek, Head of Content, Discovery. “The Indian public has appreciated Levison’s journeys including ‘Walking the Himalayas’, ‘Walking the Nile’, ‘Walking the Americas’, ‘From Russia to Iran’ et al.”

    ARABIA WITH LEVISON WOOD sees Levison begin his journey on the edge of Arabia in Kurdistan and culminates in Lebanon where he travels from Hezbollah’s heartland to the snowy highlands forging his way through a raging blizzard that almost takes the life of his mountain guide.

    It’s through this ambitious expedition that Levison will look beyond the preconceptions people hold, uncovering the stories of both sorrow and hope amid complex politics and the constant threat of violence and war, to better understand this complicated and diverse land.

    ARABIA WITH LEVISON WOOD will premiere in India on Discovery Channel and Discovery HD World, 9pm, Thursday, 5th September 2019.

  • Josh gates explores fabled city of dwarka in discovery’s latest series ‘expedition unknown’

    Josh gates explores fabled city of dwarka in discovery’s latest series ‘expedition unknown’

    MUMBAI: Josh Gates, one of the world’s most passionate explorers, is set to embark on an epic adventure in India in search of the truth behind the fabled city of Dwarka – India’s very own Atlantis! Are the ancient manuscripts purely myths or could the legendary city of Dwarka be based on a real place? Josh Gates is going to join a team of scientists who believe that they may have discovered something under the water that could rock the foundations of history as we know it. Viewers will be able to witness the extraordinary story of Dwarka unfold in the special episode of ‘EXPEDITION UNKNOWN’ starting July 12, 2019 at 9 PM only on Discovery Channel.

    According to scripture, Dwarka was an expansion of Lord Krishna's energy. It was described as a utopian city with opulent buildings gilded in gold.  Per the legend, Lord Krishna summoned divine powers to erect the towering city, which rose up out of the ocean, surrounded by a massive stone wall to protect the city from invaders. But in the wake of Lord Krishna's death, the glittering kingdom sank into the Arabian Sea and its glory faded into myth. Now, Josh is teaming up with world-renowned researchers who are dedicated to unearthing the truth behind the fabled city.

    “The story of ancient Dwarka is an important religious tale, but as we examine submerged ruins surrounding the modern city by the same name, we’re discovering that the legend may be based on something historic,” says Josh Gates, as he dives into the waters of the Arabian Sea.

    After investigating the coast of modern Dwarka, Josh heads to a dig site on Bet Dwarka, an island to the north, with a team of Indian archeologists who have recently discovered intriguing relics including the remains of a wall, pottery, and an enigmatic stamping-seal.

    “Archaeologists have barely scratched the surface on this island, but the evidence is already mounting that there was a significant settlement here,” says Gates. “The items we've uncovered and especially the ancient seal demonstrates a vibrant culture here and strong indications of ritual and ceremony. But is it ancient Dwarka?”

    Speaking about his experience, Josh Gates, adds, “I leave India entranced, swept up in thousands of years of myth, devotion and celebration. In time, archaeologists may find irrefutable proof that Dwarka isn't just a religious parable in an ancient text. I'm eager to see what archaeologists turn up next, but for the citizens of modern Dwarka and of the nearly billion Hindus around the world, this legend is more than just real. It's divine.”

    EXPEDITION UNKNOWN is produced for Discovery Channel by Ping Pong Productions.

  • Discovery channel to telecast most death-defying highwire walk yet – 25 stories above new york city’s times square

    Discovery channel to telecast most death-defying highwire walk yet – 25 stories above new york city’s times square

    MUMBAI: Discovery Channel will showcase a never-before-attempted walk of approximately 1,300 feet long and 25 stories above street level, across New York City’s iconic Times Square, “Highwire Live in Times Square with Nik Wallenda” on Monday, June 24 (8:00-10:00 AM IST).  The walk marks Lijana Wallenda’s first highwire walk since the 2017 accident where she, along with four others, tragically fell 30 feet off a tightrope during a rehearsal.

    The 1,300-foot-long walk will take place 25 stories high between the famed 1 Times Square and 2 Times Square. Nik and Lijana will start from opposite ends of the wire, meet and cross in the middle of Times Square, then continue to finish opposite of where they started. The must-see live event will also feature video footage of the Wallendas’ history, preparation and exclusive interviews.

    “A never seen before LIVE death-defying walk is a part of our strategy to showcase the best of world programming in India. We believe such content will reverberate with audiences across the country,” said Megha Tata, Managing Director- South Asia, Discovery Communications India.

    “In 1928, my family performed at Madison Square Garden in the City of Dreams for the first time in the USA,” said Nik Wallenda. “And on June 23, I have the great opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of my own by paying homage to that performance as we return for my most exhilarating feat yet. I am beyond excited to be able to walk with my sister, Lijana, as she overcomes near-death injuries and continues the Wallenda tradition of never giving up!”

    Nik Wallenda is the seventh-generation of the Great Wallendas who trace their roots back over 200 years to the Austro-Hungarian empire. For Nik, every walk is an expression of honor to his great grandfather, the legendary Karl Wallenda who brought the Wallendas to America from Germany to perform in The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Nik’s previous live televised events include two hugely successful television events: walking across Niagara Falls in June 2012 and the Grand Canyon in June 2013. He holds 10 Guinness World Records.

    Lijana Wallenda was one of five performers who fell off a highwire tightrope while attempting an eight-person pyramid stunt during a Circus Sarasota rehearsal in 2017. Lijana was severely injured and has been recovering ever since. The Times Square walk will be the first time she’s gotten back on the tightrope for a performance since her accident.

    “Highwire Live in Times Square with Nik Wallenda” is produced by dick clark productions. Gretchen Eisele, Mark Bracco, Linda Gierahn, David Simone, Winston Simone, Shelley Ross and Nik Wallenda are executive producers. International distribution by dick clark productions International.

    Catch “Highwire Live in Times Square with Nik Wallenda” on Monday, June 24 (8:00-10:00 AM IST) and repeats at 1 PM and 9 PM IST on Discovery.

  • Smriti Mehra elevated to Executive Vice President, Focus at Network18

    Smriti Mehra elevated to Executive Vice President, Focus at Network18

    After stints with Discovery Channel, Arré and Turner Broadcasting, Smriti Mehra returned home to Network18 Group last year. The company today announced her elevation as EVP – Focus, to head revenue. She will report to Priyanka Kaul – President, Marketing & Special Projects, Network18.

    Smriti brings with her over 16 years of rich experience as a Sales Professional with a demonstrated history of working in the broadcast media industry. During her first stint with Network18, Smriti was National Head for CNBC-TV18 Focus.

    Commenting on the appointment, Smriti said, “I’m so very excited to be taking on this role as I think Network18 Focus has pioneered the concept of partnering with clients to create platforms of engagement for brands and businesses. And I look forward to working with the fabulous team at Network18 and create more firsts and bigger properties.”

    Smriti has done Masters in Management from Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies.

  • Discovery Channel to premiere Todd Sampson’s Body Hack 2.0 from 25th March

    Discovery Channel to premiere Todd Sampson’s Body Hack 2.0 from 25th March

    MUMBAI: Discovery Channel, India’s leading factual entertainment channel, is all set to premiere the second season of very popular series Body Hack 2.0 starting Monday, March 25 at 21:00 hrs. Adventurer Todd Sampson is on a mission to investigate some of the most extraordinary people on the planet to see what we can all learn from their lives. To try to understand them, he will not only walk in their shoes, he hacks into their world using science as his guide. This is the story of human potential and how our mind and body can adapt to almost anything. 

    Humans are the most adaptable and resourceful species on the planet. Our very existence has been forged by our ability to meet the challenges of the world around us. But for most of us today, the comforts of modern living mean we no longer need to adapt to survive. Do we still have this ability? And can science help us unlock the secrets of hidden potential that exist in all of us? To answer this question, science adventurer Todd Sampson explores some of the most challenging environments and resilient people on the planet. His body is the laboratory in which he puts to the test the science about our species and our ability to go beyond our limits.

    In this second series, Todd faces extreme challenges with the Matsés of the Amazon, Iraqi frontline soldiers, sādhu holy men of India, the kung fu masters of China, the firefighters of Washington DC and the Kazakh Eagle Hunters of Mongolia. Each episode highlights a unique aspect of human physiology and psychology, including cold adaptation, chronic stress, spatial awareness, pain tolerance and heat duress.

    In the first episode of the series, Todd explores the boundaries of pain and endurance with some of the most colourful and secretive people on the planet – the sādhus of India.  Todd’s journey begins in Haridwar, where he meets a group of travelling sādhus who shun the modern world by refusing to wear clothes and carrying traditional swords. Among the feats of pain they practice, called “tapas”, Todd meets a sādhu who has stood without a break for seven years, another who covers his body in thousands of beads and another who’s held his arm in the air for nearly 20 years.

    Using techniques and hacks that viewers can apply in their own lives, Todd will challenge himself to learn his hosts’ skills and attempt to make his body adapt in ways theirs have. From illuminating key moments in the story of human evolution to the use of the latest, hi-tech visual effects, this series is a visually fantastic journey that takes him from the frozen tundra to steaming jungles to see first-hand the ability of our species to go beyond the limit.